Norris Secures Pole as McLarens Lead Monza Qualifying

Lead Lando Norris claimed pole position for today’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, edging championship teammate Oscar Piastri in a McLaren one-two, while title rival Max Verstappen could manage only seventh.

Nut Graf In a high-speed showdown on the “Temple of Speed,” McLaren’s late-season charge continued as Norris narrowly outpaced Piastri to top qualifying and tighten the championship fight. Verstappen’s struggles compounded Ferrari’s grid penalty woes, setting the stage for a tense race.

Main Part Norris set the benchmark early in Q3, clocking a 1:19.331 lap to deny Piastri a first front-row start this season. The pair’s performance underscored McLaren’s aerodynamic upgrades, which have often faltered at high-speed circuits but delivered perfectly at Monza.

Despite running equal machinery, Piastri could not match his teammate’s final effort, settling 0.165 seconds adrift and content with second. Their front-row lockout marks McLaren’s first since the French Grand Prix and their first at Monza since 2012.

Mercedes’ George Russell split the Ferraris to secure third, recovering from an off-pace Friday to post a time just under two-tenths slower than Norris. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton followed in fourth and fifth, but Hamilton’s five-place penalty from Zandvoort relegates him to start sixth on Sunday.

Red Bull’s championship leader Verstappen endured a difficult session, hampered by overheating issues and traffic, to qualify seventh. Sergio Perez joined him on the fourth row, leaving the reigning champions far from their usual dominance.

Behind the leaders, Sauber’s rookie Gabriel Bortoleto impressed with sixth fastest in qualifying trim, outpacing both Aston Martins. Yuki Tsunoda was 17th after failing to set a time in Q3, forcing a discretionary start at the stewards’ mercy.

Tomorrow’s race promises strategic tire calls and intense slipstream battles on Monza’s long straights, with McLaren now firm favorites from the front row.